Planting Potatoes and Onions

The students recently visited the school garden to plant potatoes and onions. The students took turns digging the holes, planting the potato pieces or onion bulbs, and then covering them. They have been watering them every two weeks. Upon our return to class, they wrote a How To paper on the steps to take in planting potatoes. The How To writing is a part of our writing program, Write From the Beginning.

Plant Parts and Their Functions

In the computer lab, the students used Pixie 2 to create a plant diagram. They first used the paint bucket feature to create a cloud background. They then used the spray paint feature to create grass and soil. They used the shape tool to create a rectangular stem. Using the stickers feature, they added a flower and leaf. They used the paint brush to add roots. Finally, they used the text box feature to label each part of the plant and to write two functions of that plant part. Although this lesson could be done on paper by drawing, I find it very important to teach the students how to use as many of the features in Pixie 2 as possible because they transfer to so many other programs that they will need later in life. After the students created their diagrams, they exported them and then uploaded them to their KidBlog. I show the students how to do this step-by-step on the Promethean but the majority of the students are now able to do this independently after just a few lessons.

Terrariums

My teammate, Mrs. Timms, who plans science for our team, taught all of first grade how to make a terrarium. Using soda bottles cut in half, the students first added soil to the bottom half of the container. As they took turns, we discussed what is in soil and how soil is used. They then added a plant to the soil followed by more soil. Next they added water. We discussed that plants need soil, water, and air. The teachers then placed the top of the soda bottle on top of the bottom piece. Once back in class, the students created a four flap foldable to indicate the steps taken to create the terrarium. On the top, they drew the pictures with labels and under the flaps they wrote sentences using transition words. By the end of the day the students were already able to see how the water was evaporating to the top of the container which lead into a discussion of the water cycle.

Little Researchers

I've already written several posts about how we conduct research in our class but I wanted to share some pictures of my little researchers in action. It is so nice to see them excited about research and to see how independent they are in finding their own answers to questions!

Research: Garden Expert

As a part of our research over the garden habitat, one of the grandparents from our school who just happens to be a garden expert, visited with all of first grade to share infomation about plants and bring in examples. Mrs. Flowers (yes, that is really her name!) owns Pat's Plants in Grand Prairie. She explained the various functions of plants and their various needs. The students were able to ask questions they had come up with during their research. In class, they added information that she shared to their research plan handout. Mrs. Flowers was amazing! She even brought seeds, soil, and cups for each student to be able to plant their own flowers! We are saving our seeds to plant on Earth Day!

Plant Diagrams

During our study of plants, the students created plant diagrams. They labeled the parts and their functions. The diagrams were added to our class garden display in the hallway.

The Little Red Hen Sequencing and Planting a Garden

On Tuesdays and Thursdays our class is fortunate to have an intern, Mrs. Sanford, from Dallas Baptist University assist in our class for a few hours as a part of her coursework. Today she taught a fantastic integrated Language Arts and Science lesson to the students. Mrs. Sanford started her lesson by greeting the students at the door and having them choose an animal card. The animal cards correlated to the book she was going to read during her lesson. She red The Little Red Hen by Byron Barton and as she read, the students sequenced the events in the story using picture cards and the Follow the Yellow Brick Road Retelling cards from The First Grade Parade.

Mrs. Sanford then had the students transition to the Promethean Board where they reviewed, wrote, and repeated the defition of sequencing. At the board, they reviewed various transition words that can be used to make writing more interesting. They then decided which transition words to use on the class Flow Map. After deciding this, students built their own garden in a large container. Mrs. Sanford explained how to plant seeds and the needs of plants. As she explained the steps, the students followed the multi-step directions. With each step, the students used interactive writing to record the steps they took on a Flow Map on the Promethan Board.

After planting the miniature garden and sequencing the events on a Flow Map, the students wrote the events using complete sentences on a flower template. On the petals of the flower, the students wrote transition words. The students were engaged the entire lesson. Mrs. Sanford and the students did an excellent job!

Celery Experiment

In science, we created a Brace Map to identify the parts of a plant and their functions. We discussed how a plant is a system and that the parts are dependent upon one another. As a grade level, we conducted a celery experiment so the students could visualize the function of a stem. First the students had to identify that the celery stalk was the stem and that there were leaves at the top of the stalk. They made predictions about what they thought would happen if we placed the celery in cups of water. Most students predicted that the celery would suck up the water because plant stems carry water to the flower and leaves. We discussed the function of roots and asked the students if they thought the stem could suck up the water, like a straw, even though there were no roots. We also asked them to make predictions about the level of water in the cup: would the level stay the same, increase, or decrease? In one cup we used plain water and in the other cup we added blue food coloring. We asked the students what they thought would happen in the cup with food coloring and some predicted that the stalk, or stem, would change colors. When we asked about the leaves, it took a little thought but then most predicted that they would change colors also because the stem carries water to the leaves. It is so nice having teammates that like to teach lessons together!

A First Look At Plants

To introduce our study of plants and the garden habitat, we created a KWL Chart on our Promethean Board. The students first shared what they know about plants and gardens. They then brainstormed things they wondered or wanted to know. We then watched the video AFirst Look: Plants on Discovery Education. They then shared what they learned about plants and gardens and we added it to our KWL chart.

Kelp Forests

As a part of our research on the ocean habitat, we learned about the kelp plant. We learned the parts of the kelp and compared them to what we know about the parts of land plants. The students then labeled and colored a diagram of the kelp plant. The students added a picture of at least one animal that uses the kelp forest for food, shelter, or protection.

Garden Harvest

This is a little late as I've been enjoying my summer vacation, but here is a slideshow of the students harvesting their potato and onion garden. They worked very hard throughout the school year to plant, water, and measure their plants and it was great to see them dig up the end product of all of their hard work. The goods of their garden were donated to the local food bank.

This picture slideshow made with Smilebox

Moseley Garden Blog

Our literacy strategist, Mrs. Reed, who also teaches gardening lessons to our students, has started a Moseley garden blog. She has posted pictures of the various plants that the students have planted and nurtured. Our grade planted onions and potatoes. The students really love going out to water the plants and see their growth. Through the garden they are learning various math, science, and social studies skills such as measurement, life cycles, energy, recycling, animal habitats, and natural resources. Thank you Mrs. Reed for all of your hard work!

Garden Update

The students have been working very hard at taking care of their garden. Their onion and potato plants are growing quickly. Last week we visited the garden with Ms. Goolsbay's class to have a lesson from Mrs. Reed on feeding the plants and watering them properly. The students learned that the best way to water the plants is by watering at the base and not the leaves. They also learned that these types of plants need a large amount of water and they need it on a daily basis. Thank you to Mrs. Reed for helping us learn more about the garden.

Plant Brace Maps

Using the Brace Map we created in class, the students created their own Brace Maps about the parts of a plant and their functions on the computer using the program Kidspiration. We then worked on learning to export the pictures and then insert them into Microsoft Word. We also are working on cropping and resizing pictures. The kids think it is "magic!"